Jemelene Wilson: Our true worth is more than the lies we hear

Jemelene Wilson

Family: Married with two daughters, ages 21 and 13, and one son-in-law

About: I don't believe in acting my age or taking life for granted. When the FedEx man walked through my office door almost 25 years ago, I told myself I was going to marry him. We are in the middle of our “Happily Ever After” with a married daughter and a 13-year-old. Our youngest was born with a rare genetic disorder recently named Emanuel Syndrome. When I'm not taking care of my home and family, I'm busy teaching children how to read. Writing for me is therapeutic and I feel comfortable at my keyboard. My family says I don't have a filter. Much of what I think ends up here in my little corner of the blogosphere named "Finding Hope."

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Social media isn't always an accurate gauge of everything going on in the world, but recently the beauty gimmicks have been popping up like daffodils. Not only are people posting on the feed, but several people have sent private messages offering a great deal on yet another miracle product. Not only will this product change my life, but when I buy into it, I will be financially set.

It amazes me that there are entire companies that claim to have the ability to change your life.

The catch? You have to pay them to do it. Not only that, but they appeal to our deepest need to feel at the very least adequate and at the most exceptional. Where does this come from?

I have theories.

We are taught from a very young age what to value. Little girls are told how pretty they are and boys are viewed as handsome or athletic. We ooh and ahh over the party dress, pretty hair or stunning eyes. As we grow older, we hear about the shape of someone's figure or academic abilities. After we are grown, we find admiration through the beauty of our house or the size of our pocketbook. So much assessment of human worth comes from the physical.

Advertising companies run on one principle: Make people feel inadequate so you can sell them the remedy for their discontent.

We buy the lie everyday in more ways than we may ever realize.

Our own value seems to be tied to what we own, what we look like or how much power we think we have.

Every human has value that is not based on what they wear, the smoothness of the skin, ability to create beautiful art or tightness of abs. We are created for relationship, not to perform on some imaginary stage in front of an audience. Still the most innocent of comments slip out every day.

Even the most broken person has worth. Some have it tucked deeper inside than others, but it's there if you look. We as a society need to become passionate about bringing out the real beauty in each other instead of chasing an unattainable standard.

My favorite students are the ones who have the hardest time behaving. It's like a treasure hunt. There is often a challenge to find out what the child needs most to be able to learn their lessons. I'm finding that most of them need courage.

Courage to be kind. Courage to try again. Courage to speak up. Courage to trust another human being.

Courage can't be purchased. You won't build it up at the gym. There isn't any diet that will make someone courageous.

When you break down the word encourage, it means “to put courage into.” While giving a sincere compliment, aren't we trying to bring encouragement?

Can I make a suggestion? The next time you want to give a friendly compliment, make it about something lasting.

We would all be courageous if we spent more time putting courage into each other.

Jemelene Wilson is married with two daughters and a son-in-law. Read her Tuesdays on Douglas County Moms. Also check out her personal blog here.